Predicting the Argentina Team for the First Match of the 2015 Copa America
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has no time to waste in his new role. Less than 12 months after succeeding World Cup finalist Alejandro Sabella, the former Newell's Old Boys and Barcelona trainer will try to go one step further. The Copa America, which kicks off in Chile this June, already looms large.
El Tata, of course, has the luxury of a talented, settled squad. The core of the team which crosses the Andes later this year will be the same men who fought so hard in Brazil, reaching the deciding games before Mario Gotze's strike ended Albiceleste dreams. But with competition fierce, some hard decisions will have to be made.
But when Argentina run out on June 13 to take on Paraguay, who will be wearing the famous shirt? Some names are almost certain to make the trip, while other players will have to fight for their lives to make it inside Martino's preferred starting XI.
Goalkeeper
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Sampdoria stopper Sergio Romero had little competition between his two World Cups in 2010 and 2014. Only Mariano Andujar fought for Chiquito's position in that time, and the ex-Catania man's sporadic form ensured that Romero remained No. 1 under Diego Maradona, Sergio Batista and Alejandro Sabella.
Sabella's successor Martino, however, has shown signs of seeking alternatives between the posts. His old charge at Newell's Old Boys, current Tigres player Nahuel Guzman, has seen action; so too has Willy Caballero, tipped by many observers as Argentina's most talented goalkeeper at the moment.
Romero will also have to look over his shoulder at Geronimo Rulli, the young Real Sociedad prospect who played so well to keep out Barcelona at the start of January. But the place is his to lose. Having left a very good impression in the World Cup, only injury or a complete form meltdown would see the current starter lose his place before the Copa America.
Defenders
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While the man between the sticks is likely to remain unchanged, at least for the Chile tournament, Martino has the option to experiment just in front of Romero. So far during his tenure, tepid defeats to Portugal and Brazil have suggested weakness in the back line.
A handful of players feel rather more secure in their positions. Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta is the kind of dependable performer Argentina need in defence, and he will almost certainly be present. So too Ezequiel Garay, although the centre-back has suffered various injury niggles since his strong campaign in Brazil.
The final two places at the back are less certain. Federico Fernandez seems to have fallen out of favour in the international hierarchy, and the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, Martin Demichelis and Federico Fazio are currently ahead of the Swansea player in the pecking order. Of that trio, Otamendi's good form for Valencia could give him the nod.
On the left, Marcos Rojo faces strong competition from Cristian Ansaldi as he bids to hold on to his place. He should do just that, with the Atletico player a valuable utility option off the substitutes' bench.
Midfield
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Having started his own internet meme thanks to a handful of brilliant World Cup performances, Javier Mascherano will once more anchor the Argentina midfield in the Copa America. The Barcelona star gives his side a steel and tenacity that allows the more creative players to run riot, knowing they are covered by one of football's most fearsome defensive midfielders.
Ahead of him, Martino will have to decide whether further defensive cover or a more cerebral option is preferable. The former would give the advantage to Lucas Biglia or Enzo Perez to form a double defensive screen with Mascherano.
If not, Ever Banega, Fernando Gago or Roberto Pereyra are all sound options to get the Albiceleste moving up the pitch fast.
Angel Di Maria has long been the go-to man on the left, but Martino's preference for Fideo up front means Erik Lamela is a natural replacement.
Attack
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If Angel Di Maria continues as a wide forward in the Argentine system, an interesting conundrum appears. From Italy to Spain and England, national team candidates are smashing in goals and often heading the top scorer charts; but Martino can only pick two alongside the Manchester United winger.
Since captain Lionel Messi is another automatic choice, places are even sparser. Forwards of the calibre of Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Ezequiel Lavezzi, not to mention a gaggle of young hopefuls lighting up the divisions this year (Mauro Icardi, Luciano Vietto and Paulo Dybala to name just three) must compete for a single starting Albiceleste spot.
Of all the candidates, Aguero starts 2015 in the strongest position. The Manchester City man has been electric in front of goal this season, showing his best play after a disappointing World Cup campaign. Should El Kun stay fit he is likely to start, relegating Higuain and Tevez to a star-studded bench.
With that trio settled, the next challenge for Martino is finding them roles within this exceptional attack. A system similar to that used by Luis Enrique in Barcelona could pay dividends. Placing Messi out on the right with license to cut inside, and Aguero taking Luis Suarez's role as a mobile centre-forward, would give Argentina infinite options going forward.
Possible Argentina XI for the Copa America
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Romero
Zabaleta Garay Otamendi Rojo
Biglia Mascherano Lamela
Messi Aguero Di Maria
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